The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission has become South Africa’s third fully-fledged film body in the year that the country celebrates 20 years of democracy.  The film industry has had more than 10 years of growth and development in the new democracy with the passing of several acts and pieces of government legislation that have been developed to stimulate the growth of the industry.  Great strides have been made in the growth of the industry in the country, with the NFVF at its helm and rebates being developed through the Department of Trade and Industry and a film fund through the state financed Industry Development Corporation.  The Commission is happy to be at the Cannes Film festival as an official partner of the NFVF at the South African pavilion, and to be a part of the 20 year celebrations in Cannes to mark this major milestone for the country. 

In previous years the Commission was represented at the festival by its sole shareholder the Provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

The film commission has developed projects in the area of skills development, film facilitation, small business development and the promotion of the province as a destination for film through familiarisation tours and the development of infrastructure.

The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission will meet with film producers, sales agents and film commissions from around the world in one on one business meetings to market the province as a location for film and have a soft launch of its film fund for projects shooting in the province.  Meetings scheduled will be to follow up on discussions for film projects earmarked for the province and discussions on areas of collaboration with international film commissions amongst others.  With its vast array of locations, provincial incentives and filmography of major films that have already been shot in the province, the commission is well placed to leverage on these assets as well asnational financial instruments already developed for the industry, to propel the commission into the future with a significant impact on the industry.

The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission is positioned to be the next big film destination. Its mandate is to stimulate the economy in the area of film and thereby contribute to the GDP of the country. The plan is to put KwaZulu-Natal on the map when it comes to the film industry. Over and above being a destination for film, the Commission plans to grow the film industry from a skills and facilities point of view. The Commission will also be a content generator through its film fund, funding films by local filmmakers, as well as those from elsewhere who are planning to shoot their film in the province.

The team representing the Commission at the Cannes Film Festival will be its Chairman, Welcome Msomi, its CEO Carol Coetzee and its Chief Operations Officer Jackie Motsepe.